What You Should Do To Protect Your Home From Hurricanes, Tornadoes, And Other High Wind Storms

Living in Florida, most people have heard the saying “hide from wind, run from water”. This tells us that if there is any type of high wind storm coming our way, we can simply hide from it and we will be ok. But what does “hiding” mean? There are some things that you can and should do to make sure that your home is protected and ready to withstand a high windstorm. So, let’s take a look at the things you should be doing to make sure your home is prepared for a high windstorm.

Routine Maintenance

As with anything, routine maintenance is your first line of defense in making sure your home is prepared to withstand a windstorm. You should routinely check areas of your home outside that are naturally susceptible to wind damage like shingles, roofing, siding, and brickwork for any current damage that needs to be repaired prior to a storm. Making sure everything on the outside of your home is properly repaired and up-to-date will help your home be prepared to withstand the pressure it will face in a windstorm.

Move Or Secure Outdoor Belongings

Anything that is loose outdoors can easily become a deadly projectile during a major windstorm. Even the smallest of items can become dangerous when they are flying at you as a projectile in high winds. Some common things you want to look for and make sure are secure include any outdoor toys, garbage cans, flower pots, grills, garden decorations, outdoor furniture, etc. You should also anchor and secure any larger outdoor items that can’t be moved indoors such as storage sheds.

When looking at the area surrounding your home outdoors, you also want to pay attention to the trees. Trees can cause serious property damage if they fall or when loose branches and limbs fly off and become projectiles. If there are any trees that are too close to your home, you should have them removed. If your trees are overgrown, you will want to have them properly trimmed before any major storm. Using a professional to remove or trim a tree is important as an improperly pruned tree can become even more dangerous than a tree that was not trimmed in the first place.

Cover Windows And Doors

Your home’s windows and doors are one of the most vulnerable areas of your home during a storm, and if they are not properly protected, your windows and doors could shatter and leave the rest of your home and property vulnerable to major damage.

If you live in an area that is especially susceptible to major high windstorms like hurricanes and tornadoes, it is a good idea to consider investing in a permanent storm shutter system for your home or replacing your windows with impact-resistant models specifically designed for storms. These systems are designed to protect the doors and windows of your home from high-wind damage. They will also help protect you while you are in the home hiding from the wind! If you aren’t able to invest in a permanent storm shutter system or impact-resistant windows, you should at a minimum use plywood to cover and secure your windows and doors in preparation for a high-wind storm. You should not simply use tape to cover your windows, as this does not truly do anything to protect your windows during the storm and leaves you at risk of being hurt by a larger piece of glass flying if the window is damaged during the storm.

Don’t Forget Garage Doors

When preparing for a major storm, many people forget to protect the garage door. If a storm’s high winds damage or cave in a garage door, then the contents of the garage will be vulnerable, and the rest of the home will become more susceptible to damage. There are devices available that will help you reinforce and secure your garage door during a high wind storm. It is best to hire a professional garage door company to inspect your current garage door to determine its ability to withstand a major storm and any additional protective measures you may need to take.

Check And Reinforce Shingles And Siding

Shingles on your roof and the siding material on your home are your home’s first barrier of protection against any major high wind storm. Making sure that the shingles on your roof and the siding of your home are properly installed and reinforced to withstand high wind storms is important. Hire a professional roofer to inspect your roofing and a contractor to inspect the siding on your home to make sure they were properly installed and reinforced.

While major high wind storms can be scary, there are things we can do to help protect ourselves and our homes from serious damage during the storm. If you need to review your current homeowner’s insurance coverage contact us today to speak with a professional licensed agent that can review your current insurance policy and make sure you have the coverage you need.